1 Week in the Hospital

I know a lot of people talk about how they hate being a patiant in a hospital, but really, I didn't find it all that bad. Except for the bad internet connection and the bed soreness I experienced from not really being able to get up that much, I actually enjoyed some of that time in the hospital. If there were only a few things to share about my experience, these would be my thoughts:

• With having gone through an unexpected c-section, having my son son taken to the NICU was actually a blessing to me. Those first few days I was taking several pain killers and needed help to get out of bed, go to the bathroom, and whatever else. If I had to deal with feedings every few hours in that time it would have been quite difficult to actually recooperate.

• I expected that I wouldn't see my OB/GYN until the very end because I've read that it was often hospital procedure. I was also not terribly surprised that she didn't show up because they were just using the OB on call. It was a weekend afterall. However, I was utterly shocked when my OB came to visit me in the hospital the following day, and she told me that she didn't even know until I didn't show up for my scheduled appointment. Wasn't someone from the hospital supposed to page her? She told me that she attends about 90-95% of her babies, and I'll bet that the 5-10% of the ones she doesn't attend are ones just like mine... BECAUSE NO ONE EVER INFORMED HER THAT I WAS IN LABOR! How ridiculous is that!! Now I'm stuck wondering that if she had been there whether I really would've ended up going into the operating room. Maybe she would've advised me to get induced earlier. Maybe she would've been willing to pull in an ultrasound device when I asked about one to find that the cord was around his neck. Maybe this and what if that....yeah...all hypotheticals that really don't matter now because I can't change the past...but still! She didn't even know! Who dropped the ball on that one?

• They gave me a menu to choose what I wanted to eat for every meal. How cool is that? So what that it's not gourmet eating...it was cooked for me and brought to me in bed. It tasted alright, and I didn't have to lift a finger to get it. I was even able to ask for several side dishes if I wanted to and share with Mark so he wasn't so hungry. Shhh! Don't tell! :)

• As much as I would've liked to have the baby close to me in the nursery, I loved having him in the NICU. I was so glad that I got to go up to see the baby whenever I wanted to, but I didn't have to worry about spending my energy to take care of him. I felt like I got special treatment all the time because the ladies up in the NICU were always so helpful and wanted to help in every way possible. It was a NICU nurse that showed me the technique to breastfeeding and getting him to latch on properly. They also gave us tons of things to bring home like thermometers, diapers, and the baby blanket they had on him all week long. There really is a special feeling in that place, and I loved visiting in the NICU.